Workers in Greece have begun a 48-hour general strike, halting flights, trains
and ferries and paralysing public services in protest against spending cuts
aimed at saving the country from bankruptcy.

All flights into and out of Greece stopped at midnight last night. Schools, hospitals, tax offices and tourist sites including the Acropolis will be closed. There will be no news broadcasts, and shop owners have been called on to close their shutters during rallies.

More than 1,500 police will be on duty for two protest marches planned in central Athens – the first major demonstrations since the new measures were announced Sunday.

Public and private sector unions say low-income Greeks will suffer disproportionately from budget cuts agreed as a condition for an international bail-out.

"There are other things the (government) can do, before taking money from a retiree who earns 500 euros a month," said Spyros Papaspyros, leader of the ADEDY civil servants' union.

Almost every big protest this year has been marred by violent clashes between protesters and police. Two months ago, rioters even chased ceremonial guards away from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the parliament.

Discontent has intensified, as civil servants and pensioners face deep income cuts and consumer taxes have been increased again.

"People are very angry, and many outside Athens don't realise what has happened," said retired civil servant Spyros Antonopoulos, 78. "When they get their next cheque, they'll come to Athens with their children and grandchildren to protest.

"The way things are going, I won't buy any new clothes – I'll keep taking my trousers back to the tailor to get them patched up. ... I'll wear them inside out if I have to."